Biologic behavior of thin malignant melanomas with regressive changes
R. R. Paladugu and R. H. Yonemoto
Thin cutaneous malignant melanomas are defined as lesions measuring less
than 0.76 mm in maximal thickness. Eight of the 36 thin lesions that we
studied metastasized within two to 120 months. Of the 11 lesions with
regressive features, five (45.5%) metastasized. Of 25 lesions without
regression, only three (12%) metastasized. Thin melanomas with regressive
changes need to be reported as a separate category because of their
propensity to metastasize. Conventional prognostic guidelines for treatment
of thin melanomas are not applicable to this type of lesion. Clinicians
need to be cognizant that regressive changes are serious warning signals
when they occur in thin melanomas.
